Photo of Dr. Perihan Akcan Aydin, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Raleigh, NC
Dr. Perihan Akcan Aydin
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, PhD, LCMHC, NCC
Verified Verified
Raleigh, NC 27603  (Online Only)
Being a human can be challenging at times. I can relate! You might feel stuck in a dark cycle or overwhelmed by a lot of stressors in this modern world. If you allow me, I would love to be part of your journey, and we will develop a plan together that works best for your needs. During our journey together, my goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to facilitate your personal growth in self-awareness and self-acceptance at your own pace. You will find an atmosphere of love, understanding, unconditional respect, and a lot of courage during my services, which will help you reach your therapy goals.
Being a human can be challenging at times. I can relate! You might feel stuck in a dark cycle or overwhelmed by a lot of stressors in this modern world. If you allow me, I would love to be part of your journey, and we will develop a plan together that works best for your needs. During our journey together, my goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to facilitate your personal growth in self-awareness and self-acceptance at your own pace. You will find an atmosphere of love, understanding, unconditional respect, and a lot of courage during my services, which will help you reach your therapy goals.
(919) 980-9586 View (919) 980-9586
Suicidal Ideation Therapists

How does therapy for suicidal ideation work?

Stress, depression, anxiety, or upsetting circumstances can give rise to suicidal thinking. Therapy can address the events at the core of an individual’s suffering. Understanding why a person may be suicidal can help the therapist and the patient discover alternative methods of coping. A person with suicidal ideation may be mired in catastrophic thinking, and treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy is a good choice for breaking such patterns. In addition, treatment such as acceptance and commitment therapy can help a person manage their distress through better emotion regulation.

Which therapies are best for suicidal ideation?

Specific approaches used by professionals include cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, psychodynamic, acceptance and commitment therapies, among others. Cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies are two widely used therapies that can help individuals with painful thoughts and past traumas. These therapies help an individual tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and not act on dangerous urges.

Are there specific medications to be combined with therapy?

The use of medication for suicidal thoughts must be aligned with the underlying cause; conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis may be at the root of suicidal ideation. A psychiatrist may prescribe medications for symptoms, which may include antipsychotics such as aripiprazole or antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

How often and how long are therapy sessions for suicidal ideation?

As with any type of therapy, sessions depend on the individual. Patients may see improvement within 15 to 20 sessions, at an average of 50 minutes per session, while others may opt for 20 to 30 sessions over, perhaps, a six-month period. Still other patients, especially those with co-occurring conditions like major depression and anxiety, may need to continue sessions for up to 12 to 18 months. In some cases, residential treatment may be recommended for an individual who is judged to be at high risk of self-harm.